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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Will Castle and Luke Baker

Arsenal v Leeds live: Saka off injured after Gyokeres goals and Dowman debut in Premier League thrashing

Eberechi Eze Arsenal Viktor Gyokeres EPL Mikel Arteta Luke Baker Gunners Daniel Farke Emirates Kai Havertz

Arsenal thrashed Leeds 5-0 in their first home match of the Premier League season after a day that saw Eberechi Eze officially join the club and be unveiled to fans on the Emirates Stadium pitch.

Mikel Arteta believes the signing of Eze gives him his strongest ever squad as the Gunners look to go one step further and end their Premier League title drought. And they may well need that squad after both Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard hobbled off injured, the former with what looked like a hamstring issue and the latter with a shoulder knock. Arsenal will await further news.

On the pitch, another big summer signing, Viktor Gyokeres, made his home debut and scored twice in the second half, while 15-year-old Max Dowman was brought on for his Premier League debut and looked lively, winning the injury-time penalty that Gyokeres converted for his second goal.

Leeds were largely toothless as Gunners right-back Jurrien Timber scored twice from corners and Saka also lashed home a powerful finish before his injury.

Follow all the updates from the Emirates below:

Arsenal v Leeds LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

  • Arsenal hammer Leeds 5-0 in Premier League
  • Arsenal boosted as Eberechi Eze deal confirmed and Eze unveiled to fans on the pitch ahead of kick-off
  • 90+4' - GOAL! Gyokeres hammers home a penalty after 15-year-old debutant Dowman fouled in the area (ARS 5-0 LEE)
  • 56' - GOAL! Another Arsenal goal from a corner as Timber pokes in after a goalmouth scramble (ARS 4-0 LEE)
  • 51' - INJURY! Saka hobbles off injured, seemingly holding his hamstring after pulling up when running (ARS 3-0 LEE)
  • 48' - GOAL! Gyokeres gets his first Arsenal goal by cutting inside and finishing well (ARS 3-0 LEE)
  • 45+1' - GOAL! Saka lashes home at Perri's near post after Timber's ball through (ARS 2-0 LEE)
  • 34' - GOAL! Timber heads in Rice's corner as Arsenal strike from a set-piece once again (ARS 1-0 LEE)

Arsenal FC 5 - 0 Leeds United FC

Arteta gives updates on Saka and Odegaard injuries

20:31 , Luke Baker

There were some worries for Arsenal as Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard both hobbled off injured.

Saka pulled up when running at full speed and went down appearing to hold his hamstring. The England international looked frustrated as he hit the deck and seemed to know that he had done some damage, as he was immediately replaced by Leandro Trossard.

Meanwhile, Odegaard went off with a shoulder injury in the first half. The Norwegian midfielder tried to initially play on but, with 38 minutes played, he was forced off – replaced by Ethan Nwaneri.

"Martin looks like a shoulder issue so we will have to scan tomorrow and understand how bad it is,” Arteta told Sky Sports. “And Bukayo had to come off after sprinting and when he was wrestling with the defender he felt something in his hamstring. It is the other side [to the previous injury] but it is still not good.

"I don't know [how long they will be out]. We already lost Kai [Havertz] which is a big player for us and now Bukayo and Martin. That is why the squad has to be well-equipped. It is going to be a long season and we are going to need a lot of players in order to achieve what we want."

Bukayo Saka was helped off the field (AP)

Mikel Arteta reacts to Arsenal's impressive win

20:18 , Luke Baker

Mikel Arteta was understandably pleased with Arsenal’s big win.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Arsenal boss said: "A lot to be excited by. A really positive afternoon to start the season off at home, You could feel the energy immediately, that it had gone up a level and that is what we were looking for. The team played really well, really confident. The team created a lot and did not concede anything. Five goals and a clean sheet is a really good start.

"We have abilities to score in various ways. Very happy for Viktor [Gyokeres] scoring his first two goals and Jurrien [Timber] too for his two goals after such a long injury and hard work. Then the other debuts of Mosquera and Max at just 15 years old, that was special for sure."

On Dowman's debut: "We have to gather all the information. It's how he reacts and deals with the situation. What his teammates think about him, which is clear, because they kept on passing him the ball. It is great to be able to change the energy in the stadium by bringing him in and he had an impact. He won a penalty on his debut at the Emirates, that's incredible.

"It's credit first of all to his family, the way these kids have been raised and the environment created. They are not overwhelmed by the environment and context. And the work of the academy, for helping to raise these kids in that manner with the confidence and understanding of the game at just 15 years old."

(Action Images via Reuters)

Bukayo Saka hobbles off in huge injury worry for Arsenal

20:04 , Luke Baker

Arsenal suffered a potentially huge blow as Bukayo Saka hobbled off injured during their dominant 5-0 Premier League win over Leeds United.

The Gunners brushed aside newly-promoted Leeds with two goals from Jurrien Timber, both from corners, a brace from big-name summer signing Viktor Gyokeres and a powerful finish from Saka himself just before half-time.

But the day turned sour when, early in the second half, Saka pulled up when running at full speed and went down appearing to hold his hamstring. The England international looked frustrated as he hit the deck and seemed to know that he had done some damage, as he was immediately replaced by Leandro Trossard.

Bukayo Saka hobbles off in huge injury worry for Arsenal

Why Arsenal’s future looks brighter then ever after demolishing Leeds

19:54 , Will Castle at Emirates Stadium

The future looks bright for Arsenal. Hoping for it to be “fourth time’s a charm” in their pursuit of Premier League glory, a flawless start to the new season feels imperative. It meant a home victory over newly-promoted Leeds United, in itself, was not so much a headline as it was an expectation. Instead, the stories of the day centred around a select few individuals, those that spark visions of rediscovered success.

Arsenal fans begun the afternoon on tenterhooks, waiting for the imminent confirmation of new arrival Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace. They wouldn’t have to wait long. The Gunners’ new No 10 was unveiled to the Emirates faithful prior to kick-off to raucous reaction, returning to club he grew up playing for and supporting.

To call this a homecoming, as was proclaimed over the PA, might be inaccurate - Eze was of course dumped by Arsenal as a teenager, something not fitting of a nurturing home. But as the 27-year-old calmly waved to his new fans, he let out a wry smile, almost as if to stick it to those who lost faith in his 13-year-old self all those years ago. That mistake has just cost Arsenal £60m.

Eze could well be the final piece to Mikel Arteta’s title-dreaming puzzle. He is exactly the player they need, a dribbler with creative spark who can break down the most stubborn defences. Yet his acquisition has already become something more of a necessity rather than a luxury.

Read Will Castle’s full report from the Emirates:

Why Arsenal’s future looks brighter then ever after demolishing Leeds

Jurrien Timber: 'A special day'

19:44 , Luke Baker

Here’s how Jurrien Timber reacted to his two-goal day at the Emirates.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Timber said: "Special day! A nice first home game of the season. You felt the energy from the crowd. Clean sheet again is important."

On scoring two goals: "I don't think I have done that to be fair. God is good - all glory to him."

On Max Dowman: "I think everyone can see the potential he has. Playing today against grown men. He is a joy to watch, for the crowd too he is a joy to watch. Hopefully, he will have many amazing years here."

WATCH: Gyokeres adds a fifth from the penalty spot

19:35 , Luke Baker

Here’s how Arsenal rounded things off, with a Viktor Gyokeres penalty

FULL-TIME! Arsenal 5-0 Leeds

19:29 , Luke Baker

Dominance for Arsenal as they cruise to a 5-0 win. A busy, busy day as Viktor Gyokeres scored twice, as did Jurrien Timber, while Bukayo Saka also netted but hobbled off with a concerning injury and 15-year-old Max Dowman made his debut for the Gunners.

A poor, poor day at the office for Leeds though

(Getty Images)

GOAL! Arsenal 5-0 Leeds (Viktor Gyokeres, 90+4 mins)

19:25 , Luke Baker

Was there a temptation to give it to Dowman? Arsenal fans were chanting his name... It’s Viktor Gyokeres anyway.

He looks calm as he steps up and hammers it home! A perfect day for Arsenal.

PENALTY! Arsenal 4-0 Leeds, 90+2 mins

19:24 , Luke Baker

And Arsenal have a penalty! Max Dowman jinks on the edge of the area, Stach pokes a leg in and there’s contact as the 15-year-old goes to the ground. Penalty says the referee!

Who will take it? Gyokeres or Rice the likely lads.

Arsenal 4-0 Leeds, 90 mins

19:21 , Luke Baker

Into five minutes of added time now

WATCH: Dowman makes his Premier League debut

19:20 , Luke Baker

Here’s 15-year-old Max Dowman coming on for his Premier League debut

CLOSE! Arsenal 4-0 Leeds, 80 mins

19:13 , Luke Baker

Fair to say that Dowman is looking lively here. He runs at Leeds left-back Gudmundsson, goes shoulder to shoulder with him and outmuscles the older man, who then brings him down. Yellow card for Gudmunsson.

From the subsequent free-kick, the ball drops to Dowman on the edge of the box and he lashes at goal but it whistles over the bar. Close!

Arsenal 4-0 Leeds, 76 mins

19:06 , Luke Baker

Young Max Dowman fancied that! The 15-year-old receives a crossfield ball on the right touchline, he runs forwards, cuts inside and fires at goal but it flies over the bar.

What a moment that would have been

Arsenal 4-0 Leeds, 73 mins

19:04 , Luke Baker

This game is petering out somewhat now. Arsenal know they’ve wrapped this up, while Leeds want to limit the damage.

WATCH: Arsenal take control with second-half goals

18:58 , Luke Baker

Arsenal have pulled away in this second half and that’s thanks to a first goal from Viktor Gyokeres and Jurrien Timber’s second of the match

Arsenal 4-0 Leeds, 66 mins

18:57 , Luke Baker

What a moment for 15-year-old Max Dowman, who isn’t taking his GCSEs until next year, coming on for Arsenal in the Premier League

(REUTERS)

Arsenal 4-0 Leeds, 63 mins

18:56 , Luke Baker

Another big moments in this match. Max Dowman - the highly-touted teenager - has been brought on for Noni Madueke and will make his Premier League debut at the age of 15 years, 234 days.

He’s been described as the best 15-year-old in the world by some and the Arsenal youth coaches believe he can be the new Kaka. It’s a lot of hype, can he deliver?

Cristhian Mosquera also comes on for a Premier League debut and Myles Lewis-Skelly is on too. Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori the men who are replaced.

For Leeds, Brenden Aaronson and new signing Noah Okafor are on for Gnonto and James.

Arsenal 4-0 Leeds, 59 mins

18:51 , Luke Baker

Having had a look at replays, that Saka injury may have been a hamstring issue. If so, that’s a huge blow for Arsenal.

We’ll have to wait for more information but very worrying. Add in the potential Odegaard injury and this could be a costly win.

GOAL! Arsenal 4-0 Leeds (Jurrien Timber, 56 mins)

18:50 , Luke Baker

It's all happening now! An Arsenal corner and of course, it's another goal.

They really are inevitable from set-pieces. Rice whips the ball into the danger area, it bounces about, a couple of people take a swing, it rebounds off Saliba’s chest and then Jurrien Timber manages to poke it in.

A goalmouth scramble but absolute cruise control for the Gunners

(Getty Images)

SAKA OFF INJURED! Arsenal 3-0 Leeds, 51 mins

18:44 , Luke Baker

This is very, very worrying for Arsenal. Saka runs at full tilt, darts inside and as he’s approaching the area, he pulls up injured. Down he goes and he looks gutted, he knows he’s going to have to come off.

Hopefully this isn’t as bad as it look or as feared. But Saka looks downbeat as he hobbles off the pitch - Leandro Trossard comes on

(Getty Images)

GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Leeds (Viktor Gyokeres, 48 mins)

18:40 , Luke Baker

HUGE! That’s exactly what Viktor Gyokeres and Arsenal needed.

It’s a lovely goal from the big-money Swede. He runs into the left channel and latches on to a ball over the top. Takes on his man, cuts inside Struijk and fires into the bottom corner expertly.

Lovely finish and there’s the mask celebration! Game over, job done for Arsenal and their new No 9 is off the mark

(John Walton/PA Wire)

KICK-OFF! Arsenal 2-0 Leeds

18:37 , Luke Baker

Back underway in north London. Is there any way back for Leeds here?

WATCH: Arsenal cruising against Leeds

18:28 , Luke Baker

A comfortable 2-0 lead for Arsenal at the break after goals from Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka

HALF-TIME! Arsenal 2-0 Leeds

18:21 , Luke Baker

And the half-time whistle blows. Arsenal haven’t actually looked that good but they lead 2-0!

Jurrien Timber flicked in a corner as the Gunners worked their set-piece magic once more before Bukayo Saka lashed in a finish at the near post on the stroke of half-time to double the lead.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal 2-0 Leeds, 45+3 mins

18:19 , Luke Baker

A real blow for Leeds, that one. Arsenal come forward again and Leeds are clinging on for half-time here.

GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Leeds (Bukayo Saka, 45+1 mins)

18:18 , Luke Baker

Into three minutes of injury-time at the end of the half. AND ARSENAL SCORE!

They cut the ball out in midfield, it’s passed to Timber, who slips in Bukayo Saka and the England star hits it hard and early. Perri in the Leeds goal is unmoved as it flies in at his near post.

2-0 just before half-time

WATCH: Arsenal take the lead from a corner

18:13 , Luke Baker

Arsenal. Corners. Inevitable.

Arsenal 1-0 Leeds, 40 mins

18:12 , Luke Baker

Leeds win a free-kick on the right touchline but the ball into the box isn’t great and Arsenal clear.

Stach retreats to deal with the cleared ball but makes a mess of it and Madueke wins the tussle, then heads towards goal. But Leeds are bailed out by the referee’s whistle as he gives them a free-kick for a foul on Stach. That was... erm... generous.

Arsenal 1-0 Leeds, 37 mins

18:09 , Luke Baker

Arsenal really are unstoppable from corners - it’s such a weapon for them.

In bad news though, Martin Odegaard’s 200th appearance for the Gunners is cut short as he hasn’t been able to shake off that shoulder injury so young Ethan Nwaneri comes on for him.

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Leeds (Jurrien Timber, 34 mins)

18:05 , Luke Baker

AND THEY’VE DONE IT AGAIN! Set-piece superstars Arsenal score from a corner!

Rice whips it into the near post, Jurrien Timber makes a darting run from the centre of the box and flicks his header into the far corner beyond Perri. Class, pure class.

Arsenal 0-0 Leeds, 33 mins

18:03 , Luke Baker

A battle down in the right corner between Saka, Gudmundsson, Timber and Gnonto. Think tag-team wrestling...

Arsenal emerge with the ball but Leeds press hard and force them back into their own half. They come again though and Calafiori’s cross is nodded behind for a corner. The Gunners’s specialism of course...

Arsenal 0-0 Leeds, 31 mins

18:01 , Luke Baker

Nice reverse pass from Raya to Calafiori to launch an Arsenal attack. The Italian strides forward but overhits the pass to Madueke when trying to slip in the England international. It runs out of play for a goal-kick.

(REUTERS)

Arsenal 0-0 Leeds, 28 mins

17:59 , Luke Baker

Odegaard walks to the side of the pitch but looks like he might try to give this a go initially. Nwaneri had stripped down into his kit but looks like he won’t be required just yet

Arsenal 0-0 Leeds, 26 mins

17:58 , Luke Baker

After their bright start, Arsenal have lost their way a little bit - there’s not much cohesion so far.

Another worry is that Odegaard has gone down here and appears to be struggling with his right shoulder. The physio comes on to treat the Norwegian, who is sat on the pitch. Nwaneri warming up on the sideline and stripping off in case he’s needed.

Arsenal 0-0 Leeds, 23 mins

17:55 , Luke Baker

James fires in a cross but Raya does well to get it away with traffic around. It looks like Raya may have hurt himself but he shakes it off.

SAVE! Arsenal 0-0 Leeds, 20 mins

17:51 , Luke Baker

Wow! Good save by Raya. James whips in the corner, Struijk rises and powers a header goalwards that Raya does well to tip over the good. Sharp save.

Leeds’s best moment by far. Stach crosses the subsequent corner but it’s nodded away. James then tracks back well to prevent the counter-attack. Using his speed for defensive good there!

Arsenal 0-0 Leeds, 19 mins

17:50 , Luke Baker

Leeds have barely got out of their half here... Arsenal attack again, Madueke tries to slip in Gyokeres but he’s forced wide by Bogle who reads it really well and wins the ball back.

But then, some action up the other end. Stach passes to James and his shot is blocked for a corner. How is Arsenal’s set-piece defence?

MISS! Arsenal 0-0 Leeds, 16 mins

17:48 , Luke Baker

A let-off for Leeds! They try to play out from the back, a hospital pass from Perri to Stach sees Zubimendi come steaming in and nick it away.

The ball falls to Gyokeres in the box, he’s unmarked, probably 12 yards out but tries to hit it first time on the turn and pokes wide. I don’t think he realised how much time he had and assumed there was a defender there - he could have taken a touch and then finished in much more composed manner.

A second warning for Leeds, and goalkeeper Perri in particular, about the dangers of playing it out.

WATCH: Arsenal unveil Eze

17:45 , Luke Baker

Here’s the pre-match unveiling of Arsenal’s newest signing, Eberechi Eze.

Arsenal 0-0 Leeds

17:44 , Luke Baker

It’s been all Arsenal in the early going

(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
(REUTERS)
(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Arsenal 0-0 Leeds, 11 mins

17:42 , Luke Baker

This is all Arsenal. Firstly, Calafiori goes down super softly and appeals for a penalty but nothing doing, rightly.

Then Rice clips the ball in but it’s just beyond a diving Saka at the back post. Promising by the Gunners.

Arsenal 0-0 Leeds, 10 mins

17:40 , Luke Baker

Not great decision-making from Bogle there. It’s an unconvincing ball out to him by goalkeeper Perri, the Leeds right-back leaps to keep the ball in play, it falls to Madueke and he lunges to foul him and earns a yellow card. It’s 80 more minutes on a booking now... He probably should have just conceded the throw-in

A dangerous position for a free-kick but Leeds defend it well

CLOSE! Arsenal 0-0 Leeds, 8 mins

17:39 , Luke Baker

Arsenal work a free-kick from the right but Rodon heads away well.

The Gunners come again, Saka runs at Gudmundsson, lays it off to Odegaard and he fizzes a shot goalwards but just wide of the right post. Not far away

Arsenal 0-0 Leeds, 6 mins

17:37 , Luke Baker

As you might expect, Arsenal have made a positive start and are dominating possession. Leeds were defensively strong in the Championship last year and still look well disciplined.

Saka gets a first look down the right but very good defending by Leeds left-back Gudmundsson who forces him inside and nicks the ball away. The Swede impressed against Everton and has made a good start here

Arsenal 0-0 Leeds, 3 mins

17:34 , Luke Baker

Nice start by Arsenal and Madueke runs down the left before slipping in the overlapping Calafiori. Good support play by the Italian but his cross is blocked

KICK-OFF! Arsenal 0-0 Leeds

17:33 , Luke Baker

After all the Eze excitement, we’re underway at the Emirates

'A raucous reaction is a fitting welcome home for Eze'

17:29 , Will Castle at the Emirates Stadium

Here’s Will Castle at the Emirates, with his take on the Eze unveiling:

“An absolutely raucous reaction from the Arsenal faithful as Eberechi Eze is unveiled to the Emirates.

“Chants of "Eze, Eze, Eze!" ring round the ground, a fitting welcome home for a player who has well and truly proved why his teenage release was ill-advised.”

(REUTERS)

Arsenal unveil Eberechi Eze to fans ahead of Leeds clash as new signing confirmed

17:27 , Luke Baker

Arsenal have unveiled Eberechi Eze to the Emirates Stadium faithful ahead of their Premier League meeting with Leeds after confirming the arrival of their new signing.

Eze moves from Crystal Palace for a believed fee of £60m plus £7.5m in add-ons and becomes the club’s seventh recruit of the summer, joining fellow high-profile acquistions Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi through the door.

Arsenal acted quickly to secure Eze after news of Kai Havertz’s knee injury, which left the club short in midfield.

Arsenal unveil Eberechi Eze to fans ahead of Leeds clash as new signing confirmed

Eze unveiled by Arsenal to huge roar

17:26 , Luke Baker

Eze walks out of the tunnel, casually chewing some gum, dressed in an Arsenal shirt and jeans. He’s looks super relaxed but can’t stop himself breaking into a big smile as he is greeted by a roar from the crowd.

You just know how much this means to him

Arsenal v Leeds team news

17:25 , Luke Baker

A reminder of today’s teams as we move towards kick-off.

Noni Madueke and Jurrien Timber start instead of Ben White and Gabriel Martinelli for Arsenal, while highly-touted 15-year-old Max Dowman is on the bench in the Premier League for the first time.

For Leeds, Ilia Gruev comes in for the injured Ethan Ampadu in the only change

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Madueke

Leeds XI: Perri; Bogle, Struijk, Rodon, Gudmundsson; Gruev, Stach, Tanaka; James, Piroe, Gnonto

Boyhood Arsenal fan Eze signs with the Gunners

17:16 , Luke Baker

Eze was a boyhood Arsenal fans and signing with the club means the world to him

DONE DEAL! Arsenal sign Eze and will unveil him ahead of kick-off

17:08 , Luke Baker

There’s the news that Arsenal fans have been waiting for! Eberechi Eze is officially a Gunner and has joined the club on a deal worth £60m plus £7.5m in add-ons.

He’ll be unveiled on the Emirates Stadium pitch ahead of kick-off shortly.

Manager Mikel Arteta said of the signing: “We are absolutely delighted to bring Eberechi to Arsenal. He is a powerful and exciting player who will give us a new dimension in our attacking game.

“What stands out just as much as his talent and intelligence as a player, is the way he has worked hard throughout his career to get where he is today. His journey, his mentality, and his ambition are exactly what we want in our team, and we love how much it means to him and his family to be joining our club. We all look forward to start working with Eberechi soon.”

(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Fans getting in position at the Emirates

17:03 , Luke Baker

It should be a cracking atmosphere at the Emirates today and fans are already getting in position

(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
(REUTERS)

Arsenal name 15-year-old Max Dowman on bench

16:52 , Luke Baker

Another big headline from the Arsenal team selection is that they have named 15-year-old academy star Max Dowman on their bench for a Premier League match for the first time.

After rising through the club’s academy, the attacking midfielder featured for Arsenal in pre-season and travelled with Mikel Arteta’s squad for their opening match at Manchester United.

He came off the bench to play in the pre-season matches against Milan and Newcastle United, catching the eye to be included in Arteta’s plans.

Arsenal name 15-year-old on bench for Premier League match

WATCH: Arteta discusses potential Eze signing

16:38 , Luke Baker

Here’s what Mikel Arteta had to say about the Eberechi Eze situation in his press conference yesterday, although he wasn’t giving much away.

Leeds team news - Gruev in for Ampadu

16:25 , Luke Baker

Just the one change for Leeds from their opener against Everton - Ilia Gruev will play instead of Ethan Ampadu in the midfield three. Welsh international Ampadu went off injured against the Toffees.

The front three of Dan James, Joel Piroe and Wilfried Gnonto continue.

Leeds XI: Perri; Bogle, Struijk, Rodon, Gudmundsson; Gruev, Stach, Tanaka; James, Piroe, Gnonto

Arsenal team news - Timber and Madueke start

16:21 , Luke Baker

Jurrien Timber comes in at right-back for Arsenal today for the injured Ben White, while former Chelsea man Noni Madueke will start on the left wing instead of Gabriel Martinelli.

Viktor Gyokeres continues in the No 9 role and will make his home debut. Can he score his first Gunners goal?

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Madueke

Arsenal team news

16:17 , Luke Baker

The teams are out and here’s how Arsenal will line-up

Arsenal v Leeds

16:09 , Luke Baker

Both teams getting ready at the Emirates. Team news is imminent

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal’s move for Eberechi Eze move is not a reaction to Kai Havertz injury

15:56 , Luke Baker

Mikel Arteta has asserted that Arsenal’s impending £60m acquisition of Eberechi Eze is not a knee-jerk reaction to Kai Havertz’s recent knee injury.

The Gunners’ manager confirmed Havertz will miss Saturday’s Premier League clash against Leeds at the Emirates, though the full extent of the Germany international’s layoff remains unclear.

"Obviously we were very active trying to look at the possibilities that could come," Arteta stated. "We are not reacting to anything, we’ve been very prepared and understanding what we could do and we have decided this is the moment to do it.

“We are showing the ambition that we are here to win major trophies and to keep evolving and improving every single year and that comes with demands and those demands are clear.

“And we want to be in front in the league, not just chasing or reacting or being behind, but in front of it and every decision that we make in every area of the club is to achieve that."

Kai Havertz picked up a knee injury but Mikel Arteta says that didn’t influence the Eberechi Eze purchase (Getty)

Arsenal vs Leeds prediction: Gyokeres to score first Premier League goal in home win

15:41 , Luke Baker

Unsurprisingly, the Gunners are heavy favourites to win their first home game of the season with football betting sites offering 17/2 for a Leeds victory in the latest Premier League odds.

We’ve offered a couple of tips ahead of today’s game:

Arsenal vs Leeds prediction: Gyokeres to score first Premier League goal in home win

Eze gets mural near the Emirates

15:26 , Luke Baker

It didn’t take long for Arsenal fans to welcome Eberechi Eze into the fold. He quickly received a mural near the Emirates, although it has since been painted over after being defaced by Tottenham fans

(PA)
(Yui Mok/PA Wire)
(Getty Images)

Eberechi Eze recalls emotional reaction to being released by Arsenal as a youngster

15:11 , Luke Baker

Eberechi Eze’s move to Arsenal from Crystal Palace looks set to be completed in the next few days but this won’t be the first time the England international has had a spell at the north London club.

It emerged on Wednesday evening that Arsenal had managed to hijack Eze’s move to their bitter rivals Tottenham and instead bring him to the Emirates Stadium in a deal worth £60m and £7.5m in add-ons.

Eze has made no secret of being a boyhood Arsenal fan and joined the club’s academy at the age of eight. However, he was released when he was just 13 and has previously admitted, in an exclusive interview with The Independent, just how much that hurt.

Eberechi Eze recalls emotional reaction to being released by Arsenal as a youngster

Daniel Farke insists Leeds will maintain their identity in Premier League

15:00 , Luke Baker

Daniel Farke vowed Leeds “won’t sell our DNA” at the Emirates Stadium today against Premier League title challengers Arsenal.

The Gunners are huge favourites to notch their second win of the season in their opening home game after grinding out a 1-0 triumph last week at Old Trafford, while Leeds marked their top-flight return with victory on Monday over Everton.

Farke’s side were the top-ranked team for goals scored (95), touches in the opposition box, possession and high turnovers en route to the Championship title last season.

And despite the gulf between the Premier League and the second tier, the German has been tweaking, rather than ripping up, his blueprint.

Daniel Farke insists Leeds will maintain their identity in Premier League

Mikel Arteta is all smiles about Arsenal's transfer business

14:45 , Luke Baker

Mikel Arteta admitted he is walking around with a huge smile on his face after assembling what he now believes is the best squad of his Arsenal reign.

Eberechi Eze’s imminent £60m arrival from Crystal Palace will take Arsenal’s spending spree to £250m amid a summer of transformation at the Emirates.

When asked if he is now armed with the most complete squad of his near seven-year tenure, Arteta replied: “In terms of numbers and quality, yes for sure. When you shake the tree and bring in more players there are always things that can happen.

“The spirit of that is to be more competitive, to be better and learn from the past, and with the squad we had last year we made life very, very difficult for ourselves if you look at the size and depth of other squads and the resources they had.

“So, we all have big smiles on our faces with the understanding that we have done really well, but the market is not closed and we have to stay very alert because there are a lot of things that can happen still. But so far, so good.”

Mikel Arteta is all smiles after Arsenal’s transfer business (PA Wire)

How Arsenal silently hijacked Spurs’ Eberechi Eze transfer well before anyone knew

14:33 , Luke Baker

Just hours before Arsenal clinched a deal for Eberechi Eze, in an even crueller twist, Tottenham Hotspur finally put in the offer they felt would be acceptable to Crystal Palace. There had been a verbal agreement. Spurs just never got a proper answer. The reason soon became clear.

After days of difficult and painstaking negotiations between Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish, Arsenal had appeared to steal in within a matter of mere hours. That has already seen this move cast as the mother of all transfer hijackings, especially as it appears to be another North London derby victory.

Except, it wasn’t really a hijacking at all. The Independent can now reveal that Arsenal had actually struck the principles of an agreement with Palace as early as the morning of Sunday 10 August. They managed to keep it extraordinarily quiet, as illustrated by how it was only after Wednesday evening’s shock revelation that multiple sources were willing to talk about it.

Read Miguel Delaney’s full insight into how the drama of the Eze transfer went down:

The Leeds logic behind their ‘magical night’ – and why it could last

14:22 , Luke Baker

Meanwhile, Leeds also secured a 1-0 win - over Everton at Elland Road. Here’s what our Senior Football Correspondent Richard Jolly had to say:

Five years ago, Leeds marked their return to the Premier League with a helter-skelter affair against opposition from Merseyside. Marcelo Bielsa’s side lost 4-3 to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in a classic. In 2025, there was a superficial similarity in the fixture list, none whatsoever in the game but Leeds could savour an outcome they preferred. Everton were beaten 1-0 and, for the second time in the opening round of games, a promoted club tasted victory.

Daniel Farke’s Leeds will never have the romance of Bielsa’s but a prosaic win qualified as a “really magic night” for a manager who entered his 50th Premier League game with just six wins to his name but who could claim the meagre resources at Norwich accounted for that record.

Leeds are trying to be streetwise in their attempts to stay up, embarking on a recruitment drive where the average height of their arrivals is 6ft 2in, and there was logic to Farke’s analysis. “A good start is always crucial,” he said. “The first win out of the way, the first clean sheet.”

The Leeds logic behind their ‘magical night’ – and why it could last

Bukayo Saka makes honest admission on Arsenal’s ‘sloppy’ performance against Man Utd

14:15 , Luke Baker

So how did the teams get on in their opening Premier League matches?

Bukayo Saka admitted Arsenal were a long way from their best but they still snatched a 1-0 win away to Manchester United as Riccardo Calafiori got the only goal in the 13th minute when he pounced on an error from United’s stand-in goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.

But Arsenal were otherwise second best at Old Trafford, sloppy in possession against a United side who impressed with their energy and purpose, even if they ultimately could not find an end product.

“It was not a great performance,” Saka said. “We are happy with the three points, to come away from Old Trafford with a win.

“We were not up to our usual standards, the basics, sloppy giveaways. Our decision making was not great and that cost us and gave United a lot of momentum. We did not get punished for it but we cannot do it every game.”

Bukayo Saka (left) admitted Arsenal were not at their best at Old Trafford (PA Wire)

How to watch Arsenal v Leeds

14:05 , Luke Baker

The match at the Emirates will kick-off at 5.30pm BST this afternoon.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. A live stream will be available via Sky Go or NOW.

(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

When could Eberechi Eze make his Arsenal debut?

14:03 , Luke Baker

The big news around Arsenal this week has been their successful hijacking of Eberechi Eze’s transfer to bitter rivals Tottenham, bringing him to the red half of north London at the 11th hour instead.

However, fans will have to wait to see him in an Arsenal shirt after his move from Crystal Palace was reportedly not finalised in time to meet the Premier League’s deadline for this afternoon’s match against Leeds.

Despite agreeing personal terms and completing his medical, the midfielder’s official registration with the Premier League is still pending, leaving his debut for the Gunners likely to come next Sunday against Liverpool.

Arsenal acted quickly to secure Eze after news of Kai Havertz’s knee injury, although The Independent reported that the England international was a top target for Mikel Arteta’s side all summer.

When could Eberechi Eze make his Arsenal debut?

Arsenal v Leeds

13:58 , Luke Baker

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Arsenal v Leeds from the Emirates Stadium. A first home game of the season for the title-chasing Gunners, while Leeds will look to build on a hard-fought 1-0 win over Everton on the opening day

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